Barcelona finally register new goalkeeper Joan Garcia

The breakthrough came after the La Liga Medical Commission ruled on Wednesday that Marc-Andre ter Stegen's injury would sideline him for five months, allowing the club to deregister the German and allocate 80 percent of his salary to secure García's registration.

This move ends a protracted saga that had caused concern for both García and the club. Signed to be a first-choice goalkeeper, Garcia's role became assured following Ter Stegen's extended absence after surgery. The 24-year-old is now set to take the gloves for Barcelona's upcoming match against Mallorca on Saturday.

Garcia's arrival sparked significant upheaval at the club. Ter Stegen, speaking at a press conference with the German national team, was quick to assert his commitment to Barcelona. "I have no intention of leaving," he said. "I'll compete and stay with the team."

However, complications arose when Ter Stegen initially refused to authorise the submission of his medical report to La Liga, a step necessary for Barcelona to free up funds for Garcia's registration. This led to the club opening disciplinary proceedings and stripping him of the captaincy.

The standoff reached a boiling point before club president Joan Laporta intervened. A face-to-face meeting with Ter Stegen helped defuse the situation, with the goalkeeper eventually agreeing to the medical submission.

Speaking at the Joan Gamper Trophy, Ter Stegen expressed relief, saying, "I'm happy we've resolved everything. I'm focused on recovering and supporting the team."

The final hurdle was La Liga's Medical Commission, which scrutinised Ter Stegen's injury. A commission member even travelled to Barcelona on Wednesday to verify the details. Their approval, granted on Thursday, confirmed Garcia's registration, ensuring Flick could call on the new goalkeeper for the weekend's fixture.

With Garcia now in place, Barcelona fans are eager to see how the young goalkeeper will shape the team's fortunes in a season already marked by change.